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Devils look to bounce back vs. Rangers

Feb 9, 2009 - 2:18 PM NY Rangers (29-19-5) at New Jersey (33-17-3), 7:00 p.m. EST

NEWARK, New Jersey (Ticker) -- The New Jersey Devils have hit a mild bump in the road. The New York Rangers wish their struggles can be summed up so simply.

With both Atlantic Division rivals entering Monday's game at Prudential Center needing a boost from their current swoons, the Devils continue their five-game homestand hoping to defeat the Rangers for the third straight time.

Coming off a dreadful 10-2 drubbing at the hands of the Dallas Stars on Friday, New York has dropped four in a row for the first time all season.

New Jersey, meanwhile, has lost two of their last three following a season-high eight-game winning streak.

The Devils fizzled in a 3-1 setback to the surging Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, when goaltender Scott Clemmensen surrendered three or more goals for the fourth straight contest.

Following back-to-back victories in the season series, All-Star Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers were clubbed in an 8-5 road loss to New Jersey on December 12 and then fell, 4-2, at Madison Square Garden two weeks later.

Lundqvist sat out Friday's loss with flu-like symptoms, but may get the nod over Stephen Valiquette in this one.

This contest comes at a rather hectic period for the Rangers, who reportedly are interested in bringing back Sean Avery after the agitator was released by Dallas earlier this week.

Avery played in two seasons for New York before inking a four-year, $15.5 million free-agent contract with the Stars in the offseason.